Collapsible book rest and holder



P. H. THMPSON 2,388,771

Nov. 13, 1945.

Y COLAPSIIBLE BOOK REST AND HOLDER f Filed sept, 14,1944 s sheets-sheet 1 In verl tar aU/// ow/05012 @@9- 2 man By .v

" l Wwf# Nov. 1 3, 1945. P, 'H THOMPSON 2,388,771

GOLLAPSIBLE BOOK REST AND HOLDER Filed sept. 14. 1944 3 sheets-sheet 2 I Lug/9 l I uz'c'lllor Delay/., YZO/ipsa? Nov. 13, 1945. P. H. THOMPSON I COLLAPSIBLE BOOK REST AND HOLDER' Filed Sept. 14, 1944 3 Sheets-*Sheet 5` Inventor Patented Nov. 13, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE COLLAPSIBLE BOOK REST AND HOLDER Paul H. Thompson, Wheaton, Ill.

Application September 14, 1944, Serial No. 554,063

l (Cl. 4557) 3 Claims.

' or the like. f

More particularly, the preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized by a pair of complemental leg frames hingedly connected to a substantially rectangular book frame, the parts being so constructed and coordinated as to hold the book, paper or manuscriptat an approximate 45-degree angle, this to minimize eye fatigue, to thus render the bookkeeper more enicient and render the art of reading more expedient and satisfactory, while at the same -time reducing the need of shifting and holding the book with ones hands, whereby to provide allaround mechanical aid and assistance.

Another, and outstanding, object of the invention has to do with the provision of a simple and expedient suitably designed and balanced frame structure, this provided with the complemental leg frames and associated parts, all of the parts being foldable into an even horizontal plane, when not in use, whereby to permit the entire structure to assume compact and convenient proportions such as permit it to be temporarily stored away in a desk drawer or conveniently carried in a brief case.

Another object of the invention has to do with the provision of appropriate accessories for the swingable leg frames, that is, hinged latches to coact with the main relatively stationary frame to hold the leg frames rigidly at right angles thereto, and special converter brackets which serve as detachable extensions for coacting portions of the leg frames, these to support the leaves of a book to prevent sagging and drooping thereof.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a front elevational View showing the main book frame assuming a substantially inclined position and the leg frames disposed at right angles and latched rigidly in position.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the structure set up for use, the same as seen in Figure 1,

that is, a view observing Figure 1 in a direction from right to left.

Figure 3 is what may be designated as a top plan view, this serving to bring out the construction of the parts and also the manner in which they are collapsed and folded into the same plane with each other to render the overall structure compact and convenient for storing or carrying.

Figure 4 is an end elevation of Figure 3 to emphasize the idea of completely encompassing the swingable and foldable parts within the perimetral limits of the main frame. g

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the eX- tension or adapter fixtures to be hereinafter speciiically described.

. Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view observing the arrangement of parts seen in Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of one of the substantially V-shaped leg frames.

Referring now to the drawings by distinguishing reference numerals, it will be seen that the main frame unit is of general rectangular form and is denoted by the numeral 8. It is characterized by a horizontal bottom frame member 9, a pair of end frame members I0 and top frame members II--II, these having inner terminals directed inwardly and laterally, as at I2, and supporting the hinged spring friction members I3 adjoining a substantially arcuate saddle I4 thereto.

I provide two leg frames, each characterized by a substantially V-shaped portion I5 and a supporting and hinging rod I6, the latter having its end portions hingedly mounted between the frame members 9 and II of the mainframe structure. 'I'he limb II of the V-shaped unit constitutes the horizontal basal support when the structure is extended and in use, as seen in Figure 2. At this time the remaining companion limb I8 serves as a prop or brace. It will be noted that the limb I1 is provided with rubber cushions or rests I9 which in certain instances may be in the form of rubber suction cups to facilitate holding the device on a glass table top or the like. It will further be noted that the forward end portions of the frame parts I6 extend beyond themain frame at right angles thereto, as seen in Figure 2, and indicated at 20, these terminating in substantially L-shaped apertured keepers 2|. These keepers serve to accommodate the adapter extension fixtures 22. These, as before stated, are adapted to support the leaves of a relatively thick or voluminous book to prevent sagging and displacement. Each adapter fixture 22 ,is of the construction seen in Figure 5, that is, comprises a main member 23 having a laterally directed apertured foot 24 and a sleeve-like guide 25. The other member or part constitutes a, slidable latch 26 and this is slidable back and forth in the guide and has a reduced detent pin 21 which is engageable with the apertured foot 24 as well as the apertured keeper 2| of the extension 20.`

In connection with these special adapter fixtures 22, it is to be observed that they are of a detachable and convertible character. That is to say, when the leg frames are folded within the perimeter of the main frame, as shown in Figure 2, the adapter fixtures are arranged vertically,

that is, the foot 24 is passed through a slot in the keeper 2| and the detent 21 passes through a keeper hole or aperture in the same part 2| and then through the foot 24. This positions the adapters in a horizontal plane with the rest of the parts and parallel to the end frames I and adjacent the assembling and hinge rods I6. When the adapters are brought into use, they are detached from the position seen in Figure 3 and extended out into a plane with the extensions 20. At this time the foot 24 is anchored in the slot in the adapter 2| and the detent 21 of the latch member 26 is locked in place in the manner shown on the same adapter 2|. Thus, the adapters consttute an auxiliary extension for the main extensions 20. The parts together serve as eiective rests for the pages of a voluminous book (not shown) in a substantially obvious manner.

It Will be noted in Figures l and 3 that retainers 28 are -pivoted, as at 29, on the hinge rods and these retainers have their free swingable ends fashioned with reduced extensions 30 to snap into an L-shaped bayonet .slot or keeper notch 3|. This is brought out in Figure 2. Thus, the retainers extend at right angles to the hinge rods and fasten in the keeper slots and hold the leg frames at right angles to the main frame 8. The main frame is provided in alignment with the aforementioned saddle I4 with a pair of upstanding stabilizers 32.

The device assumes Aa Lldegree angular position when in use, as brought out in Figure 2. The leg'frames extend at right angles to the main frame and are held in this :position by the aforementioned retainers 28. The binding of the book cradles. itself in the saddle I4 and is Ialso partly supported between the longitudinally spaced stabilizer ngers 22. This allows the book to nest itself nicely into the :central portion of the frame structure with the leaves .readily movable back and forth.

I would emphasize the provision of a book rest of a rack-like type vcharacterized by a rectangular frame having suitable supports for tilting the frame at the desired angular reading position, this frame characterized by the substantially U -sha-ped saddle or stirrup Il which can .be swung into the frame, as shown -in Figure 3, or swung out at approximate right angles to the top portion of the frame, as shown in Figure 2, this part I4 acting :in conjunction with the aforementioned balancing and stabilizing yfingers 32.

Cal

Emphasis is also attached to the ycollapsible or foldable phase of the invention, this being illustrated to assuring advantage in Figure 3. In addition, I am disposed to stress the provision 0f the V-shaped leg frames I5 having simple retainerequipped hinge posts for mounting same on the main frame, and each of the parts I1 being especially constructed to accommodate not only the suction cups, but the auxiliary extension adapters 22. Perhaps the adapters themselves are new and novel.

A careful consideration of the foregoing description in conjunction with the invention as illustrated in the drawings will enable the reader to obtain a clear understanding and impression of the alleged features of merit and novelty suflicient to clarify the construction of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Minor changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of parts may be resortedto in actual practice so long as no departure is made from the invention as claimed.

I claim.:

1. In a foldable book-holding rack of the class described, a main rack frame of general rectangular form provided with foldable vsupports and having, at its top,l a swingably mounted substantially U-shaped part constituting va saddle for the book binding, and a pair of longitudinally spaced fingers projecting into the limits of the frame of the lower frame member and .in alignment with said saddle to coact therewith in properly balancing and supporting the book centrally von said frame.

2. In a book-holder of the class described, a substantially rectangular frame, a pair of vertical hingedly mounted rod members mounted in opposed portions of said frame, .and .a pair of substantially V-shaped leg frames carried thereby and swingable from a position 4at right angles .to the main frame to a vposition in a plane within the perimeter limits of said frame, said 'hinge rods being provided with p'ivoted retaining members, and the adjacent end members of the main frame having keeper notches for the adjacent free ends of said retaining members.

3. In a book rest and .reading rack of the class described, a main rack 'frame of general rectangular form, the normal top member of said frame being provided with a centrally arranged, swingably mounted, substantially U-'shaped part constltuting a saddle for the book, a pair Vof longitudinally spaced fingers carried by the Ylower frame member and projecting into the'limits of the frame in alignment 'with said ALl-shaped 'part to coact therewith in properly balancing and supporting the book in and Von Isaid frame, 'and a pair of Y'hin-ge'dly mounted leg frames carried by said main frame, said leg frames being movable from a position in la 'plane within the Vlimits of sai-d main frame to a position at right rangles thereto, to fserve as supports, and to incline fthe fra-me and to position 'the book .at thev 4desired angle for ready reading purposes.

THOMSON. 

